The Oireachtas Agriculture Committee is set to ask Bord Bia chair Larry Murrin to appear before it to discuss his company, Dawn Farms’ use of Brazilian beef in some of its products.
The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the committee yesterday, which was requested by Fianna Fáil Agriculture spokesperson and Government back-bench TD Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere.
Mr Cleere, who has called for Mr Murrin to step down from his Bord Bia role, said the situation is “undermining farmers” confidence in Bord Bia and their Quality Assurance Schemes.
“As a rural TD I know that farming and agriculture are the heartbeat of rural Ireland , and they need to be supported,” he said.
He added that Mr Murrin’s appearance before the Agriculture Committee “has to happen urgently” and that “farmer confidence in Bord Bia is at an all-time low”.
The Fianna Fáil TD said the committee would be prepared to meet Mr Murrin later this week.
Since the beginning of the week members of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) have been protesting outside the offices of Bord Bia in Dublin against the decision not to remove Mr Murrin from his role.
Farming groups – including the IFA, ICSA, and the group representing dairy farmers, the ICMSA – claim the fact Dawn Farms has been importing Brazilian beef creates a conflict of interest for Mr Murrin, given Bord Bia’s role in promoting Irish food, and that his position with the semi-State agency is untenable.
However, Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon has said he has “full confidence” in Mr Murrin and that he has done nothing wrong.
The IFA has said its members will remain outside Bord Bia’s offices until Mr Murrin is removed as chair.
Dawn Farms said Brazilian beef made up less than 1% of its overall supply last year.
